Lawn Mower Tire Maintenance Tips

Check those Tires to make sure your lawn mower or lawn tractor is ready to go!

Whether you are a homeowner getting ready to work outside in your own yard or are a commercial landscaping and lawn care company, spring is always a good time of year to give those tires a thorough check as part of your overall maintenance for your equipment.

So the lawn and garden tire experts here at Ken Jones Tires have some basic tips for making sure your tires are ready – whether it is just for the busy season or for the entire year.

Lawn Mower Tire Maintenance Tips

1. Check for cracks

Sunlight and extreme hot or cold temperatures can cause cracks in the sidewall of your tires. While the rubber compounds tires are manufactured with have anti aging compounds in them, exposure to the elements will cause the rubber to lose some of it’s elasticity, causing cracks in the surface. Driving on under inflated tires can also cause cracking.Also check your front caster wheels. If theses wheels are excessively worn, cracked, or don’t roll smoothly, you may need to replace them. Cracked or overly worn tires are also more likely to fail or have a blow out. As this usually happens while you are operating the equipment, that can really cut into your day’s productivity and operator safety.

2. Check for Proper Inflation of Tires

This is by far the most important aspect of proper lawn tire maintenance. Properly inflated tires reduces fuel consumption, field time and soil compaction. Tire pressure will vary based on equipment type and environment. Always consult your manufacturer’s recommendations for proper inflation. If your tires are over inflated you risk a blowout, a lopsided tire or reduced traction on some types of terrain. If you are under inflated, the tire can become creased and weakened. This will cause you to lose speed and efficiency. Bumpy ground may require slightly lower inflation and operating on smooth terrain an usually tolerate the higher air pressure. Loss of air pressure can be a sign of leaks and further attention may be needed. Our flat proofing products, such as flat free tire sealant may eliminate the issue if it is just a minor crack causing air loss. Further damage may require use of a lawn tractor tire tube or replacement of the tire. Flat Free lawn mower tires are available for almost all equipment and save time, headaches and money!

3. Look for Signs of Premature Wear

Over and under inflation can cause premature wear in the tread. Over inflation will cause the center of the tread while under inflation causes the shoulders to wear.

4. Check for Damage to Sidewalls

Check sidewalls for scuffs, chips and punctures. Also look for chips in the lugs of the tire.

5. Look for Signs of Rusting at the Valve Stem

Leaks at the valve stem could indicate the tire tube is failing. Generally this will also show signs of rust. This is usually a sign that it is time for a rim repair and possibly a new tube.

6. Check Tread Depth

Loss of traction is the best indicator that tread wear may be an issue. Low tread can be a safety issue on hills, especially when going downhill. Bald tires are more likely to slide, and cracked or overly worn tires are also more likely to blow out. This is a risk to both operator and your days productivity.

Replacing Lawn Mower Tires

Should you find your tires are going to need replacement, there are a few other things to consider before you purchase the new tires for your tractor or mower. The most important thing to consider is whether or not the current tires performed up to both your expectations and needs. If your current tires came with the machine as OEM (manufacturers original equipment), you may find there are some other replacement options that may offer you either a lower cost option or a product better suited for your terrain or application needs. There are many different tread styles available for lawn equipment and we have a lawn mower tread design guide to help you learn more about the different patterns that are available. Remember our mower tire experts are just a phone call or a click away to answer all of your questions and help with product selection.

Click here to read more about choosing the right lawn mower tire.

Lawn Mower & Tractor Maintenance

Checking your mower or lawn tractors tires is just one part of your overall maintenance to keep your equipment running smoothly. While we can’t give you and tips on anything other than the tires, your best bet for all other types of maintenance is to read the owners/operators manual that came with your equipment. They will give you specific types of maintenance that should be performed and when/how often. If you don’t have your manufacturers operators manual, there is a lot of information available online as well. Here are a few helpful links:

• John Deere Tractor Operators Manuals
• Kubota Tractor Operators Manuals
• Scag Mower Operators Manuals
• Exmark Mower Operators Manuals
• Ferris Mowers Operators Manuals
• Toro Mowers Operators Manuals
• Walker Mower Operators Manuals

Need Expert Advice for your Lawn Mower & Lawn Tractor Tires?

As always, the lawn mower and lawn tractor tire experts at Ken Jones are here to answer any questions you may have. So just give us a call or live chat with a lawn mower tire expert on our website.